Study finds regional training stints luring back doctors

Research into doctors in regional Western Australia has found there is an increase in city-based medical students working in country postings after enjoying training in the regions.

The University of Western Australia says those who spend a year of their training in the country are more than three times more likely to return to the bush when they become doctors.

Professor Geoff Riley says the research dispels the previous belief that only country-born medical students work in the regions upon finishing their degrees.

He says enjoying the sense of community is one of several reasons behind the increase.

"They discover the warmth and closeness of relationships and the enjoyment of knowing people and they all say this to us anecdotally that the thing that matters, the pleasure of what those of us who live in the country know, it's a lot about the idea of community," he said.

"One that they can practise good quality medicine, high quality medicine and the relevant equipment and facilities are available, secondly that they discover what it's like to live in the country, special environments with special recreations but most of all what they discover is about community."